16. Canada — Canada's 1984 Health Act entrenches in law the country's system of free at the point of access healthcare, known as Medicare. Canada's system is not perfect however, and in recent years the number of Canadians going south for private care in the USA has grown.
The Erie Otters ice hockey team sit on the bench during the first period of an OHL game against the Niagara IceDogs at the Meridian Centre on October 6, 2016 in St Catherine's, Ontario, Canada.
15. Qatar — The best standards of health in the Middle East can be found in the wealthy nation of Qatar. The nation has recently taken steps to implement a universal healthcare system across the entire country.
Pupils at the Amna Mahmoud Al Jeddah Primary Independent School for Girls wait for the arrival of the Duchess of Cornwall on day four of the Royal tour to the Middle East in Doha, Qatar.
14. France — Famed for the quality of its health services, it is not surprising to see France close to the top of the pile. The country's average life expectancy is 82.
France is welcoming British finance firms with open arms.
13. Norway — Norway, along with its Scandinavian counterparts, often comes close to global quality of life rankings, and one reason is the health of its citizens. The country's healthcare system is free for children under 16, but adults must pay for services. The country spends more per person on healthcare than any other country on earth.
12. New Zealand — New Zealand is one of the most active countries in the world, with the nation punching well above its weight in international sporting competitions. It has an average life expectancy of 81.6 years.
A group of school children perform their Haka for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at the Bukekura Park in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
11. Belgium — With an average age of 81.1, Belgium's life expectancy is just outside the world's top 20. The country has universal healthcare, but also requires mandatory health insurance for all citizens.
10. Germany — Despite a love of beer and sausages, Germans are some of the world's healthiest people. The country's average life expectancy is 81.
Visitors enjoy a beer during the opening day of the 181st Oktoberfest in Munich September 20, 2014.
9. Israel — Israel is the highest ranked of any Middle Eastern state on the Legatum Institute's health sub-index, and the country has the 8th highest life expectancy on the planet, 82.5 years.
Israelis watch a fireworks show during celebrations marking Israel's 68th Independence Day in the southern city of Ashkelon.
8. Australia — With great weather and low pollution, it is not surprising that Australia is ranked as the healthiest nation in the southern hemisphere. Its average life expectancy is 82.8, the 4th highest in the world.
7. Hong Kong — The tiny city-state of Hong Kong has 11 private and 42 public hospitals to serve its population of just over 7.2 million people. In 2012, women in Hong Kong had the longest average life expectancy of any demographic on earth.
Graduated students of Hong Kong Polytechnic University have their pictures taken in front of a wall with messages of support for the pro-democracy movement in the part of Hong Kong's financial central district protesters are occupying
6. Sweden — As with most quality of life and health rankings, northern European countries like Sweden score highly. Swedish men have the 4th highest life expectancy of any nation, living to an average of 80.7 years.
Sarah Sjostrom, Michelle Coleman, Jennie Johansson and Louise Hansson of Sweden celebrate winning the silver medal in the Women's 4x100m Medley Relay Final on day sixteen of the 16th FINA World Championships at the Kazan Arena on August 9, 2015
5. Netherlands — In 2015 the Netherlands gained the number one spot at the top of the annual Euro health consumer index, which compares healthcare systems in Europe, scoring 916 of a maximum 1,000 points
Farmworkers look for dead flowers in Dutch tulip fields in Noordwijk, the Netherlands
4. Japan — The country's life expectancy — 83.7 — is the highest on the planet. That has caused demographic issues in the country, with its population aging rapidly.
3. Switzerland — Rich, beautiful, and incredibly healthy. Switzerland has pretty much all anyone could want from a country. Its healthcare service is universal and is based upon the mandatory holding of health insurance by all citizens.
Workers prepare a rink of shavings during the Federal Alpine Wrestling Festival (Eidgenoessisches Schwing- und Aelplerfest) in Estavayer-le-Lac August 28, 2016.
2. Singapore — Another small city-state to make the top of the Prosperity Index's health sub-index. Singapore's 5.6 million citizens have an average life expectancy of 83.1 years old.
The skyline of Singapore's central business district is seen at dusk as operations continue at a PSA International port terminal in Singapore September 25, 2013. Connected to more than 600 ports in some 120 countries, Singapore is one of the world's busiest shipping hubs, and is often called the gateway to Asia. It plans to increase its total capacity dramatically as it competes with other massive ports in the region such as Shanghai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen in China and Busan in South Korea. Picture taken September 25, 2013.
1. Luxembourg — Nestled between Belgium, France, and Germany, the wealthy nation of Luxembourg tops the Legatum Institute's health sub-index. The country's average life expectancy is 82.
Luxembourg City in the winter.
• Don't insult other visitors. Offensive comments will be deleted without warning.
• Comments are accepted in English only.
• No swearing words in comments, otherwise such comments will be censored.
• Your nickname and avatar are randomly selected. If you don't post comments for 7 days, they both are reset.
• To choose another avatar, click the ‘Random avatar’ link.
